About 200 people celebrated Wednesday June 16 on the west steps of the California State Capitol. Organizer Michael Harris said it’s important for people of all backgrounds to recognize the holiday. “Part of being an American is knowing what unites us,” he said. The crowd at the Capitol agreed. A large group marched around the building and ended at the West Steps to listen to live music, singing, dancing and speeches. June 1 is a federal holiday and is recognized as a state holiday, but people at Wednesday’s event said they want California to be a holiday. One more step. Currently, state employees do not receive the June 16 paid day off, as they do with other state-recognized holidays. Harris said he also wants the Juneteenth flag to hang in the Capitol during the holiday. “You can’t tell me it’s a holiday if you can’t even fly the flag on Juneteenth for a few hours,” he said. The day and celebration also had significant meaning for other attendees. “I just wanted to use this day to celebrate, reflect, and have great conversations with people who are ready to continue healing and do wonderful things in America and our lives.” Shyreece Pompey he told KCRA 3. Pompey said he has been battling lung cancer and wanted to attend the event to celebrate something before another doctor’s appointment. Sacramento County officials were also at the event to help people register to vote. Sabir Jones, who said he was recently released from prison, was finally able to sign up to make his voice heard on June 16. “It means giving back,” he said. “It means recognition. It means knowing who I am and where I’m going.” Eleven-year-old Milu Sharpe said her grandmother invited her to the celebration. “I’m so glad my generation can learn about this.” because it’s so important that we learn about this and it’s sad that they couldn’t learn about this when they were kids,” she said. “But I’m glad we have the opportunity to do it now.” See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our application.
SACRAMENTO, California —
Approximately 200 people celebrated on Wednesday June 16 on the West Steps of the California State Capitol.
Organizer Michael Harris said it’s important for people of all backgrounds to recognize the holiday.
“Part of being an American is knowing what unites us,” he said.
The crowd at the Capitol agreed. A large group marched around the building and ended at the West Steps to listen to live music, singing, dancing and speeches.
Juneteenth is a federal holiday and recognized as a state holiday, but people at Wednesday’s event said they want California to go a step further. Currently, state employees do not receive the paid day off on June 16, as they do on other state-recognized holidays.
Harris said she also wants the Juneteenth flag to hang in the Capitol during the holiday.
“You can’t tell me it’s a holiday if you can’t even raise the flag on June 16 for a few hours,” he said.
The day and celebration also had significant meaning for the rest of the attendees.
“I just wanted to use this day to celebrate, reflect and have great conversations with people who are ready to continue to heal and do wonderful things in America and our lives,” Shyreece Pompey told KCRA 3.
Pompey said he has been battling lung cancer and wanted to attend the event to celebrate before another doctor’s appointment.
Sacramento County officials were also at the event to help people register to vote. Sabir Jones, who said he was recently released from prison, was finally able to sign up to make his voice heard on June 16.
“It means giving back,” he said. “It means recognition. It means knowing who I am and where I’m going.”
Eleven-year-old Milu Sharpe said her grandmother invited her to the celebration.
“I’m so glad that my generation can learn about this because it’s so important that we learn about this and it’s sad that they couldn’t learn about this when they were kids,” she said. “But I’m glad we have the opportunity to do it now.”
See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our application.
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